First, we observe how the Jerusalem church’s people were forced to scatter due to persecution but actually fulfilled God’s will. This passage records the miracles Philip performed, discusses the purpose of miracles, and emphasizes that in performing miracles, we can only serve as His vessels. Second, it discusses Simon the sorcerer’s conversion to the Lord. Though we see that sorcery could also perform some miracles, evil ultimately cannot prevail over righteousness. Third, it recounts Peter and John’s preaching in Samaria and Simon’s exclusion. It shows that Christians must receive the Holy Spirit. It also describes Simon’s present state as bound by sin and a bitter heart, yet without repentance. Fourth, an angel instructs Philip to preach Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip’s simple obedience also reveals a method of evangelism. Finally, the eunuch believes and is baptized. It states that Philip is taken away by the Holy Spirit. We also show what pastors hold is earthly titles, and Spirit-filled brothers may baptize.
1. Church’s people scattered due to persecution but fulfilled God’s will
“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him (Stephen) to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing in that city.”(Acts 8:1-8)
Saul’s persecution of the church in this passage also makes it clear: “For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”(Galatians 1:13-14) Even so, “But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, …(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)”(Galatians 1:15-20) God is a God of grace and mercy.
Here we should note three things in passing. First, without revelation, one cannot understand the Scriptures at all. Paul was originally a disciple of Gamaliel (see Acts 22:3), and was highly educated in human traditions. Yet he persecuted the church, clearly not understanding the Old Testament. It was only when he realized that “For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:11-12), then he understood. Therefore, it is essential to “allow the Holy Spirit to lead Bible study.” Second, he was set apart from his mother’s womb—this was foreknowledge—and God gave him revelation, for it was predestined in God’s purpose to be given to him. Thus, foreknowledge and predestination are two sides of the same coin, as Scripture declares: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29) Third, he makes it very clear that he spoke before God. Christians would not knowingly and deliberately lie by confessing Satan as their father. The scripture states plainly, “…the devil (Satan) …Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”(John 8:44) Yet many mistakenly believe that a lie told with good intentions is not a lie at all—this is wrong. It is better to remain silent.
In fact, had the church in Jerusalem not faced persecution, the gospel would not have spread so widely. God’s ways are utterly beyond human comprehension, as we see in the account of Philip. Philip was a man full of the Holy Spirit and chosen by God, for Scripture clearly states, “The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.”(Acts 6:5-6)
This passage records the miracles performed by Philip, demonstrating how God used him as an instrument to work miracles. At best, we can only serve as conduits; without God’s permission, we can accomplish nothing. Take Paul as an example. He plainly stated, “All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.”(Acts 15:12) Therefore, he declared, “For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed.”(Romans 15:18) He was a man who could perform miracles in others. For instance, when he and Barnabas went to Lystra, “At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.”(Acts 14:8-10) Note that the spiritually discerning Paul could perceive the paralytic’s faith—and so it should be today.
But without God’s permission, Paul could not perform a miracle to heal himself. Miracles always work this way. As Scripture records, “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”(2 Corinthians 12:7-9) The purpose of miracles and wonders is to demonstrate His gracious way, as the Scripture says: “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.”(Acts 14:3) Therefore, miracles are not meant to demonstrate one’s own power, but to reveal God’s power through others. Always remember: “Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.”(Matthew 23:10)
2. Simon the sorcerer believes in the Lord
“Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.”(Acts 8:9-13)
We see that sorcery can also accomplish some things. When people cannot discern its source, they will follow it, thinking that person is a mighty man of God. Only when they realize a greater power has appeared do they change because of the truth. However, if a person is baptized merely because they have seen miracles, such faith is often insincere. Simon was such a person. Note that Simon was baptized before witnessing Philip’s further miracles. Even so, we will soon see the errors in his faith. Thus, even with correct teaching, people can stumble due to their old nature. How much more so today, when many churches do not teach according to Scripture? Like the church of Laodicea mentioned in the Book of Revelation, they engage in many human works, yet none of them are pleasing to God. For Scripture says, “Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”(Revelation 3:17) It also says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20)
Regarding what sorcery can accomplish, the Old Testament records: “Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Work a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.’” So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and thus they did just as the LORD had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said.”(Exodus 7:8-13) Yet evil could not prevail over good, for Aaron’s staff swallowed their staffs. When the water turned to blood, “But the magicians of Egypt did the same with their secret arts; …”(Exodus 7:22) When “…Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. The magicians did the same with their secret arts, making frogs come up on the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 8:6-7) This was the last act of sorcery they could perform, for when “…Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats through all the land of Egypt.”(Exodus 8:17) “The magicians tried with their secret arts to bring forth gnats, but they could not; so there were gnats on man and beast.”Egypt.”(Exodus 8:17) Even the magicians were afflicted with gnats. Yes, evil cannot ultimately prevail over good.
The New Testament passage states: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”(Matthew 7:21-23) If their miracles were from God, how could Jesus say such a thing! A miracle, as the name implies, is a trace of God’s work. Miracles performed by Satan can only be called demonic miracles.
3. Peter and John’s ministry in Samaria, and Simon’s exclusion
“Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.”(Acts 8:14-25)
It is essential for Christians to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter and John, having been filled with the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost after Jesus Christ’s resurrection, now realized that the Holy Spirit had not yet descended upon any of them individually. Therefore, they received the Holy Spirit through laying hands. In truth, Christians should pursue being filled with the Holy Spirit not a one-time filling. A one-time filling of the Holy Spirit can be obtained through persistent petition, as Jesus said: “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.”(Luke 11:8) He also said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”(Luke 11:13) Note that this passage affirms you will certainly receive the Holy Spirit’s filling, though it does not promise when. God holds absolute sovereignty; He decides. Trust that He will fill us at the most appropriate time.
Next, it describes Simon’s condition—truly bound in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity. His response reveals fear but no mention of repentance. Finally, we see the apostles fulfilling the Great Commission: “… make disciples of all the nations, …”(Matthew 28:19) Unlike earlier accounts where Peter baptized about three thousand people (cf. Acts 2:37-41), this is not because the apostles lacked life, but because not everyone is pierced to the heart by hearing the message. Jesus possessed absolute life yet was still crucified—how hardened human hearts can be!
4. The Lord’s messenger instructs Philip to preach Jesus to the eunuch
“But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and (G2400, behold) there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth. “In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth.” The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him.”(Acts 8:26-35)
We see that when Philip heard the angel tell him to go toward the wilderness road, he got up and went. He simply obeyed God. When he went, he didn’t know what would happen, since there is a missing word “(G2400, behold)” used here. The subsequent account clearly describes his interaction with the eunuch. Starting with Isaiah 53:7-8—a passage the eunuch did not understand because it pointed to Jesus—Philip began preaching about Jesus in a straightforward manner.
The eunuch was a devout man—otherwise he wouldn’t have been reading the Old Testament. Once he understood, he believed in Jesus, fulfilling the truth that “…faith comes from hearing…” (Romans 10:17). Only in the New Testament era does “…hearing come from the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Here we also learn a method of evangelism: for someone willing to read the Scriptures, we can begin where they lack understanding, guiding them to a correct grasp of the Bible.
This does not mean we must fully comprehend the Bible ourselves before sharing the gospel. Complete understanding is impossible, for God is infinite while humans are finite. Thus, our understanding progresses in stages. When God opens our eyes to a particular portion, we grasp that part correctly. This is why Paul declared, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.”(1 Corinthians 8:2) We must cultivate ears that listen, “allowing the Holy Spirit to lead our Bible study.”
5. The eunuch believed and was baptized, and the Holy Spirit took Philip away.
“As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.”(Acts 8:36-40)
We see that the eunuch demonstrated his genuine faith through action. Philip baptized him in water at the eunuch’s own request. There is no mention here of baptism in the Spirit or being filled with the Holy Spirit. This differs from the events at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection, when everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and naturally received baptism in the Spirit. Thus, a one-time filling with the Holy Spirit brought baptism in the Spirit—as we discussed recently, something every Christian can receive. As the Book of Ephesians states, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”(Ephesians 5:18). This still refers to Christians pursuing being filled with the Holy Spirit.
As we previously noted, Philip was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. Here it is also stated that a brother filled with the Holy Spirit can baptize others—it is not exclusively reserved for pastors. Especially since we know the title “pastor” is a human designation not found in Scripture. Examining what the Bible says reveals why “pastor” is merely a human title. The term “pastor” appears only once in the Chinese Union Version, in this passage: “And (G2532) He gave some as apostles, and (G1161) some as prophets, and (G1161) some as evangelists, and (G1161) some as pastors (G4166) and (G2532) teachers.”(Ephesians 4:11) Yet this word G4166 appears 18 times, consistently denoting shepherd, as in this passage: “Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd (G4166).”(Matthew 9:36) Only in this place is it translated as pastor. If we note the word “and (G2532)” here, we understand that no pastor today fails to perform both shepherding and teaching. Remember, God looks at the heart, not worldly titles. It is not worth disputing over a title. Moreover, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”(Romans 12:18).
Philip was indeed an evangelist, as evidenced by the New Testament’s account regarding him: “On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.”(Acts 21:8) We know the Holy Spirit took Philip away. Some who witnessed this concluded he was also taken away upon arrival. Others might suggest Philip did not immediately appear beside the chariot but ran to the eunuch out of fear of startling him. This is incorrect and contradicts Scripture, forgetting that the Lord is the Almighty God who could have arranged for Philip to be precisely where he saw the eunuch’s chariot pass by.
Please note: This article is based on the Sunday (1/18/26) topicwise Bible study. Unless otherwise specified, verses refer to those in NASB95. Past articles referenced can be found on our website, ‘https://a-christian-voice.com/‘, under ‘On spiritual understanding about life.’
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